Bathroom Faucets - Facts To Consider Before Shopping

Before selecting a bathroom faucets you will need to know a few facts. If you are simply replacing a faucet and keeping the sink, one of your decisions is already made. But, if you are replacing both sink and faucet you will first need to decide which is the most important to you, the sink or the bathroom faucet.

Let me back up a little and explain. Bathroom faucets come in single hole, centerset, and widespread assemblies. If you are keeping your existing sink, then you need to match up your faucet to fit the sink you already have, so that makes for fewer choices. If, however, you are starting fresh and replacing both bathroom faucet and sink, the sky is the limit, but you need to decide if the look and function of the faucet outweighs your choice in sinks.

Bathroom Faucet Mechanics

It is good to know some of the inner-working of bathroom faucets before you start your selection.

*F81 Compression faucets use washers and compression to shut off the flow of water. These faucets have been around for a long time, most of us have used them, and they are still available and usually among the least expensive models. Compression faucets have both a hot and cold handle to control water pressure and temperature and require tightening the handles to close off the flow of water. Inside the handles is an assembly with a washer on the end of a screw. When you tighten the handle of the bathroom faucet it creates pressure on the washer over an opening and stops the flow of water. These faucets have a long history of needing periodic maintenance, usually replacing washers.

* Ball faucets which are common in both kitchen and bath, have a single handle to control the flow of water, and the temperature as well. This type of faucet was the first to be washerless. Unfortunately this is a complicated mechanism and it is also the most subject to leaking.

* Cartridge faucets may be the best bathroom faucet option for those who prefer separate handles for cold and hot water,and want less maintenance issues, although they are available in a single handle version as well. Unlike compression faucets cartridge faucets don't require the extra pressure in order to stop the flow of water. They have a moveable stem cartridge that controls the flow of water. They are more reliable than compression faucets, and require less frequent repair.

* Disc faucets have a single lever that controls the flow of water as well as temperature. Disc faucets are the newest type of faucet, seldom require repair and are a higher quality faucet.

Bathroom Faucet Installation Style

*Centerset faucets have all the faucet components assembled on a base. Both the spout and the handles are mounted on a base so the whole bathroom faucet assembly is one unit.

*Widespread faucets feature all the components individually. Handles and spout are all separate pieces which usually mount to the sink and come in different drilling options.

*Single-Hole faucets are another option in a bathroom faucet. This unit is just what it says. It requires a single hole, and the spout and a lever for controlling water flow and temperature comes as a single unit.

*Wall-Mounted faucets This is a whole subject in and of itself, but I am just mentioning it here in case you have your heart set on a vessel sink and this type of a faucet assembly.

Wall-mounted bathroom faucets are only an option if you are doing some remodeling or are willing to open up the wall. This is a more complicated choice and should be checked into thoroughly before getting involved.

There is more to know about bathroom faucet selection, and I will cover that in version two of this article.

Discover more information about bathroom faucets, and tips on updating your bathroom vanity.

Bathroom Signs - Not Just For Public Rest Rooms Anymore

Bathroom signs are not only for public rest rooms anymore! If you have a taste for the whimsical, the humorous, the unusual, you can now find bathroom signs that will suit your particular taste. If you wish, you can even build the entire theme of your bathroom around this new, lighthearted trend.

Humor

While some people like to have small, framed portraits as a basic part of their bathroom decor, others will get quite a sense of whimsy by instead adding one or more well-placed signs which bear humorous designs and sayings.

Signs For Kids

Children may love to have their favorite cartoon characters in their bathrooms, while teenagers would delight in showing their friends their favorite celebrities, hobbies, and sports on their bathroom walls.

But this new idea in bathroom decorating does not have to stop with the youngsters, as many adults would also enjoy adding a bit of humor to their everyday lives. Catchy little phrases can brighten anyone's day! You can also find signs of a more serious nature, if you would prefer quotes or themes that can give you and your family members something positive to think about as they begin each day.

Be Sensitive To The Feelings Of Others

If you are thinking about adding bathroom signs in your room, it is a good idea to keep in mind that while humor is wonderful, sticking to what is appropriate is best. In other words, it is unwise to display something in your bathroom which your guests or even other family members are likely to find offensive. While you yourself may consider it to be nothing more than personal taste, your grandmother or your boss may disagree.

A good way to go about selecting what you would like to display on your walls is to consider in advance the people who will be using your bathroom. If you have more than one bathroom in your house or apartment, you have much more leeway in how you decide to decorate it than if you have only one which is shared by your entire family and all of your guests. For the latter, tasteful is generally the best way to proceed with any type of decorating themes; and, again, what one person may see as dry or outrageous humor, another may see as being in poor taste.

To Each His Own

If you love the idea of bathroom signs, how can you solve these dilemmas and keep everybody happy? One idea is to keep your mutually-used bathrooms decorated in a tasteful manner in which no one could possibly find any objections; another is to have a separate bathroom where the only appropriateness you will need to consider is your own.

If your sense of humor extends to the truly outrageous, and you want to display it on your bathroom walls, it is a good idea to keep in mind who you will be sharing it with. Or, as a way to both be on the safe side and still express your sense of humor and creativity, you can find bathroom signs that everyone who uses the room will enjoy.

Ernest Jarquio is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Bathrooms-And-Showers.com. He provides more resources on topics such as ion foot bath, corner showers and Premier bathrooms that you can research on his website even while lounging in your living room.

The Extra-Long Shower Curtain - Your Options

Most shower curtains that you will find in your local department store are the standard size for standard needs. However, there are a num1C83ber of reasons why you may decide that an extra long shower curtain is better suited to your bathroom. Depending on the size of your shower and other factors, this is an option which you might like to consider when you are planning to decorate and furnish your bathroom.

Non-Standard Shower

The main reason you may like to consider an extra long shower curtain is if your shower itself is not the standard size of shower. For this particular use, an extra long curtain will go a long way in protecting your flooring and anything else that is near your shower from becoming wet and possibly damaged. In addition, if you were to use a standard size curtain when it is not large enough for your shower, you may experience quite a bit of discomfort and annoyance from stepping in the water which will reach the floor. If you have a larger than average shower, selecting a longer curtain will eliminate all of these potential problems.

Although these longer curtains are a little less common than the standard size, you can still find them in a nice variety of styles, colors, and pretty designs. You do not need to sacrifice appearance for functionality, for they can be found in a lovely assortment which will match your individual tastes as well as the dcor of your bathroom.

Lined Curtains

When you are thinking about purchasing an extra long shower curtain, it is a good idea to also consider whether you may wish to have one which is lined. These lined curtains also provide a dual purpose-- they are practical, and they are beautiful. First, having a lined curtain will go even further in protecting your bathroom from water damage from your shower; but they are also nice in appearance, as you can find these curtains that have lining in such a variety of different colors that you are sure to find the one which will best coordinate with the color-scheme of your bathroom.

Whether you are thinking mainly in terms of practical needs, or enhancing the appearance of your bathroom, there are shower curtains available which will address both aspects of your decorating decisions. You do not have to deal with a skimpy, too-small curtain simply to get a pleasing appearance for your shower; and you do not have to settle for drab or boring in order to address your shower's functional needs.

Your Choices

As there are so many available from which you can choose, you can have curtain that will look great in your bathroom while keeping your flooring neat and dry at the same time. You can select a plain curtain or one with optional lining for extra protection and color coordination; whichever suits your tastes and needs the best, you can find just the right extra long shower curtain which will be a practical part of your bathroom as well as a lovely way to enhance the room's overall appearance.

Ernest Jarquio is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Bathrooms-And-Showers.com. He provides more resources on topics such as handicap shower, aromatherapy bath oil and organic bath towels that you can research on his website even while lounging in your living room.

Bathroom Design Tips - Going Vintage

Even with the rise of contemporary and other modern interior designs, a lot of people still enjoy going for the vintage look. There is that certain aura of calmness and prestige that comes with vintage bathrooms. You may be surprised to know that you can easily and cheaply get the items you need in the most common places. Here are some tried and proven tips.

Vintage bathrooms are usually influenced by the 1920s and 1930s era. Colors and shades are usually light with hints of black or navy blue. Tiles are porcelain or marble with smooth finishes of white and other pale colors like sky blue and light green. Halfway up the walls, apply square tiles. Vintage bathroom floors have a mosaic design wherein a bold color interior would be bordered. You can find these kinds of tiles at your local shop or get them at cheaper prices in garage sales.

Built-ins are very popular vintage pieces since the period wanted everything fresh and clean-looking. Most decorations y58Bou have to place in your bathroom may need to be both aesthetic and practical. Hidden medicine cabinets are ideal pieces as well as towel bars built into the sink. Towel bars are heated via hot water or electricity so you can easily find the perfect one in your local hardware shop. Your towel bar may be built-in the sink or independent.

When choosing bathroom lights, you should pick frosted glass and metals since these effectively create a vintage atmosphere. Antique sconces and ceiling lights are great as well which you can get at antique stores or flea markets. Hanging lamps are good also. Skylights were popular back then so experiment if it compliments your overall theme. As for lighting, a standalone bathroom lamp is good plus yellow or fluorescent ceiling light. Light bulbs were very popular during the era so feel free to use these.

A vintage bathtub is one of the main items that your bathroom needs. There are clawfoot and pedestal tubs made of cast iron or acrylic. These are quality pieces that you can order from special vintage manufacturers. A vintage sink is also important so try to have some space available for a vessel or pedestal sink. A vintage toilet preferably white is an excellent addition to the tub and sink. Stainless steel fixtures are common and look well with white shades. You may choose to keep your current toilet or invest in novelty toilet seats.

For bathroom design ideas, visit http://www.bathroomdesignideas101.com

The Perfect Interior Designing

It takes lot of time, hard work and patience to EB0make your home in to you perfect dream house that you've always wished for. Decorating your living room in a way that it gives a royal and elite look, the bedroom which should reflect your personality and the place where you could relax. The children's rooms where they can let go off their inhibitions and be expressive.

Everything finished and looks perfect, well almost perfect! Usually by the time you reach the bathrooms, the finances become very minimal or not at all. This means the bathroom cannot be left shabby looking, or letting it go just for that reason. If so there is no reason to feel down, even though, it is one of the most difficult tasks to decorate a bathroom in accordance with the theme of the room.

In order to get your bathroom in accordance with the theme of the room and how you want it to be decorated, it is quite natural to think about the usefulness of the bathroom and a reason for it to be decorated and what significance it would have on the guests using it. It would be incorrect to think that people would not actually care how it looks, all the effort that you put in decorating your house would go to waste. Infact, most of the time it is the bathrooms that reflect the sort of individual you are and how you are as a private person.

People might not feel comfortable using a bathroom where there is a lot of personal stuff left. For example Feminine hygiene products or a plunger, though these things are quite common but people don't want to see these things around. There are certain things that obviously have to be in the bathroom but it does not necessarily mean that they have to be displayed for every investigating eye! So it becomes important to have some space for storage in the washroom. A closet would most certainly be a very acceptable and apt piece of furniture, but not an essential one. If the bathrooms are small and there is no space for closets then small and beautiful baskets that will make the bathroom less cluttered and also hold those items that you don't want to leave around. Though bathrooms are considered to be private places still the need to be used by guests and prying eyes do arise. It should then be given equal importance while decorating the house so that whoever enters the place forgets completely what his actual reason for entering the bathroom was.

Nowadays there is easy access to various bathroom decorating ideas and schemes. Different sites and also magazines, as well as innumerable articles all give very good and economical guidelines. So jump in and choose a theme and idea to suit your needs and your pockets. Some also deign a demo and show you if you like the concept then you could order and they could come and make a custom made bathroom for you.

Interested in interior design,uh? Adam Peters contributes adding content to http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . Read additional info on contemporary decoration or modern contemporary decorating ideas

Five Tips for Your Bathroom Remodeling Design

So it's always been your dream to have a bathroom remodeling design. After all, not everyone is entirely happy with having to live with a decades old bathroom style. If you want to see some changes in your bathroom now, take note of these basic remodeling design tips.

Stop and Take a Closer Look

When bathroom remodeling is the topic, one often thinks of ripping off fixtures. Who says, remodeling has to be strictly in this sense only? You might want to put this urge in check and take a good, long look at your bathroom. You might not need to rip everything apart especially if you are in a limited budget. Consider adding something to what you already have to create the illusion of having remodeled everything. You may, for example change your cabinets, mirrors, paint and shower curtains.

Set Your Budget

If you really want to have a total bathroom overhaul, then first set a budget. Once you have the exact figure you are willing to spend on your bathroom, you can go ahead and think of what you want to place in it. List the necessities first beginning with the toilet, sink and shower and then move on to the extra features you want to be added. List the prices of the things you want in your bathroom and refer to your budget. Crush out anything that threatens to overwhelm your budget.

Create Your Idea

After listing what you want, create an idea for your bathroom remodeling design. You don't have to be an architect or graphic artist to do this. All you need is a clear idea of what you want. Consider making a simple draft illustration of your ideal bathroom. You can also write down detailed and concrete descriptions of how you want your bathroom to look and feel like. Put all your ideas in an organized paper file for future reference.

Create Illusions

One thing to consider when designing is to use illusions. This is important if you do not want to end up remodeling the space outside of your bathroom too so you can accommodate all your wants. You can save on money, time and resources if you simply use what you have and make it look more than it really is. Putting in a lot of light for example or using light paint and tiles can make it seem as if you have a large bathroom despite the obviously limited space. You can also stay away from heavy hardwood accents and stick to sparse metallic designs for your small bathroom.

Find a Professional

Unless you are an expert yourself, you should always hire others to remodel for you. You might be better off with an all around contractor instead of hiring individual professionals. Your contractor can handle everything from making a blue print of your design to putting on the last tile. You can discuss your ideas and plans with your contractor and come up with a final design that will truly work.

You don't need to come up with a complicated bathroom remodeling design. All you need is a clear concept of what you want and a good remodeling professional.

Hunting for a 2D8bathroom remodeling design? Discover out the latest bathroom remodeling designs online.

Aspects of Conservatory Sunrooms

If you have decided to build a sun room, it is probably because you are hoping to be able to use this room through the year and that means in all seasons. To do this, you need to consider the rooms design very carefully to avoid overspending your budget. Everyone knows that insulation is the most important factor in design with a conservatory, for example, but inadequate insulation doesnt necessarily save you money. First, if you have too little insulation (or too much), you may5B4 discover that your conservatory sun room is less comfortable than you thought it would be. Secondly, you may end up spending more money in keeping the house warm and cool than you would if you had spent the money in the design phase on proper insulation. Youll need to take a look at the building code requirements for conservatory insulation. and then talk about this issue with your contractor. Its entirely possible that by so spending a little more and exceeding those recommendations, it can save you in the long run e.g. if you were to dispense with the commonly-used 2x4 studs and use 2x6 studs instead, you would gain an additional insulating 2 inches for your room. After insulation, consider windows. Because they will make up the main cost of your conservatory, you need to choose them carefully. Windows do not only impact your homes appearance. but they have a functional component. Plus, they are a major factor in the construction budget of your sun room.

First. you should think about the type of glazing you require. Glazing isnt just for letting sun in - it should not only let sunlight in, but it should also keep out harmful rays and protect your family and you from the suns UV.

Some special glazes can retain heat in your sun room, acting as an additional insulation. The insulating properties of windows will depend on their cost and the material from which they are made.

58CWindows frames made of wood are normally the most expensive option, and these will need some maintenance such as occasional painting or possibly refinishing. But wood windows are relatively efficient too, in terms of energy.

Vinyl windows are very energy efficient, as well as moderate in cost compared to other types. Youll have a wide choice of colors and often a low maintenance requirement.

Finally. windows constructed of aluminum are less energy efficient, but are usually lower maintenance or even in many cases maintenance free. The clad style is very common, and these are relatively maintenance free, with energy efficiency that comes close to wood frames but at a far lower cost. Remember when planning a conservatory that whether or not a window opens and closes will impact their cost. So, the more non-opening, or fixed windows that you choose to include in your sun room, the cheaper your overall design will be. Think carefully about which of the windows will need to be accessible and opened or closed, and which can be non-opening in order to give you the flexibility that you need in using the room, without the additional cost of opening windows you wont really be needed.

Andrew Caxton is the author and editor of many resources published at 30Ahttp://www.allsunrooms.com He provides tips and advice about patio enclosures as well as on the patio rooms at conservatory sunroom

A Review Of Alcoa Home Siding

Every home owner takes pride in how their home looks when they are new and after some time has passed. To help protect our homes from the elements there are different types of siding that can be used. These sidings can include wood, fiber cement, steel, masonite, aluminum and vinyl siding. One of the newer siding materials that has been introduced is that of Alcoa siding.

Alcoa siding was first made by the Alcoa Home Exteriors company. This siding is durable due to its construction to resist heat, high winds, various weather condition changes and it is also maintenance and worry free. Unlike the other sidings Alcoa siding is made from a special compound that is combined with Styrofoam insulation.

This factor alone can make a day and night difference in homes today. So, when looking for home siding there are many factors that you want to take into consideration before you purchase.

As a result of this bonding process the Alcoa siding can provide the entire home with a solid insulation. You can even place this siding over wood panels. This is very useful as the wood has the propensity to lose heat. Since this siding has been combined with Styrofoam insulation the product will increase the resistance to heat release a house by about Twenty-five percent.

While the Alcoa siding is a good product to use for home insulation protection it has other great features that home owners will appreciate. These advantages can be seen as the Alcoa siding has the ability to cut down external noise and wind sounds by 50%.

Now, depending on where you live in the country, this factor alone is one that is appealing to many. This noise reduction is also due to the sidings construction.

This allows you to relax in your home without having to try and hear what is happening in your home because the diverse outside sounds are proving to be bothersome. The other reward that you can see with Alcoa siding is that you will have a home that seems to have a wooden exterior look.

This wood siding look can easily be achieved by the different types of Alcoa siding. One of the best types of wood siding that Alcoa siding can copy is that of Cedarwood siding. Since this type of siding is less expensive than real wood this siding is an attractive option for homeowners who want a Cedarwood wood look to their home without the high maintenance costs.

Alcoa siding is also a good material to be used in places where there is a strong wind factor. As this type of siding is designed to hold out wind speeds that are 160mph. Now, just image if you live in an area with high winds, say like Oregon, being able to not hear as much of the wind noise. In addition to these facts there are dissimilar varieties of Alcoa siding that you can buy.

These varieties include Quest 3 Alcoa siding, Carvedwood Series 2 and you will also find Silhouette Classic. Inside these different forms of Alcoa siding you are sure to find the type of siding that will make your home look attractive and protect it from nature's elements. Let's face it, we all want siding that not only looks attractive, but can provide noise reduction and heat loss reduction.

Bowe Packer provides free online information to over 40 different websites. Visit just one of his sites and learn all about home siding for free.

Home Improvement - Why You Should Hire An Expert To Do Your Bathroom Renovation

If you are thinking about doing your own bathroom renovation, you really should think twice about it unless of course you are an expert in that field. If you are new to DIY home projects, there are a few crucial issues to consider especially if you have absolutely no experience in doing any kind of bathroom renovation projects. There are reasons why bathroom renovation experts are very highly paid for their expertise.

If the question "How hard can it be?" is ringing in your head while you are thinking about undertaking your own bathroom renovation, you might be in for a nightmare. The toilet looks simple and easy enough to remove but are you very sure you know how to ensure that its properly sealed after it is installed? Can you imagine the mess if it leaks after installation and ever worst while using it? If you think that running a bead of caulk around the base of your toilet is the way to go, then you definitely need to hire an expert.

Moving To The Shower

As you have been warned about the difficulties one can expect by installing the toilet, let's move on now to the shower. It may look easy at first glance but if you are not familiar with plumbing and using torches for welding then you may want to stay clear of the shower. If a shower is not installed correctly, you can end up ruining not only your bathroom but also your whole house with water. The shower is the most expensive part of the bathroom to get installed due to the labor and involved. Do call and hire an expert if you do not want to encounter leaks around your house and ruining your bathroom. Though the cost might be a little steep, at least you will be able sleep at night and get to use your bathroom without any hassle.

It is so tempting to pick up your tools and start doing the bathroom renovation yourself but be smart and call in the experts to do the work for you. You will have peace of mind and the results you get will be well worth the price paid. You can plan your bathroom renovation but when it come to doing the actual work, you are advised to seriously consider calling in the experts.

Find out more about 1108Bathroom Renovations by visiting http://allhomeideas.info a popular home improvement website for free home improvement tips, advice and resources.

Bathroom Decor - What You Should Know About Bathroom Showers

When it comes to remodeling the bathroom, one of the first items of interest usually concerns upgrading the shower to match a growing trend or add a different look to this commonly visited room in the house. As you approach the planning phase of remodeling the shower portion of your bathroom, the two most important factors to pay attention to include how much you can afford to spend on the project, as well as the space you have available for your intentions.

Since there are numerous bathroom shower designs and ideas to consider, it is suggested that you browse a couple of home improvement magazines. This will help to set your creative flair in motion, as you never know what will cause inspiration regarding this project. Another important part of planning bathroom-shower remodeling is to record accurate measurements, as this makes the difference in appropriately displaying your vision. It is also suggested to plan the placement of your new bathroom shower where plumbing already exists, as this can become a costly readjustment.

The features you are interested in for your new bathroom shower play an important role in making a final decision. It is recommended to create a list of characteristics and functions that you most desire. For example, do you want more than one jet or is there a need for a massaging jet showA3Eerhead? What sort of bathroom shower flooring and wall accompaniments will match your new shower? Do you want a shower that is also connected to a bathtub?

Bathroom Shower Remodeling Ideas

Depending on your budget, the new bathroom shower that replaces your old selection could deliver high-quality luxury that is similar to spa treatments. Offering a tower corner enclosure with eight jets, the Kohler BodySpa delivers a hydro-massage system that permits personalized settings. The angled jets cover all of the desired parts of the body, which provide a rejuvenating shower and massage at the same time.

To capture a bit of elegance, you should consider surrounding a walk-in shower with attractive marble flooring and a fireplace situated nearby. If you want to enjoy relaxation in the comforts of your own home, browse steam shower selections that transport you into a new dimension of calm.

Even the showerheads you install can elevate the experience you undergo when taking a shower. Some of the selections on the market that have been making waves with the public include hand-held showers with chromatherapy, as well as showerheads that offer low-flow rain qualities. An impressive design to mull over when remodeling the bathroom is to create a whole new environment with your shower, as you select modern frameless glass, stainless steel, and stone enclosures.

If you are not interested in revamping your entire shower, perhaps the installation of eye-catching additions to your previous arrangement will do. For instance, a spiral shower rod can become the envy of family and friends. Overall, the market is filled with plenty of upgrades that can make the bathroom your new favorite place to settle into.

If you are looking for additional bathroom decor tips and advice, visit http://www.bathroomdecortips.com for more information.

How to Use Columns

In recent years, the use of columns in the design of public spaces such as plazas and hotel atriums has shown their wide range of uses. Columns can be a part of the structure in a load-bearing or weight-bearing capacity or purely decorative, and the types of materials from which they can be made are practically endless. The styles available, too, are too many to describe, ranging from stock traditional Roman or Greek columns to specially customized designs t1C5Ehat you create.

With these three column components, you can create an infinite number of columns to suit an infinite number of needs. You're limited only by your imagination as almost anything you come up with can be made by a good manufacturer.

Porch Columns

The word "porch" is derived from the Greek "portico," which means a columned entry to a temple. So it is an appropriate acknowledgment of history that porches remain one of the most popular places for columns, whether they are incorporated into the porch railing or stand alone.

Porch columns are available today in a number of designs that help define the front of the house. The more elaborate choice might be a fluted porch column with decorative rings at the top and base, following one of the Roman styles. Round porch columns are made that provide two architectural design choices. Tapered round columns provide a formal touch. Traditional round columns bring elegance as well. Square columns are reminiscent of America's rural tradition.

Porch columns today are manufactured from both wood and synthetics. Fiberglass porch columns have become a popular architectural alternative to wood because they require little maintenance: fiberglass porch columns won't crack, peel or warp.

Exterior Columns

A number of exterior uses for columns are also prominent in today's architectural stylings. For example, a column makes a great base for a garden birdbath or sun dial. Custom sizes can be made from almost any material to create a staggered look or uniform appearance for repeat pieces or complementary ones, as you prefer.

Columns can be used as seats in a garden. Wide bases can be used as a table and smaller bases can be used as side tables. Another interesting exterior use: stepping stones or stairs up to an elevated area or a deck. Columns also work well as fence posts for decks or around the yard. A grand choice would be a walkway or driveway up to the house with columns on each side. Whether covered or uncovered, this creates quite a first impression, adding formality to the look and a great deal of value to the home.

Interior Columns

As new home design has turned to extensive use of wide open spaces, interior columns have become a significant architectural tool. Open floor plans usually incorporate kitchens and eating areas with dens. Architects will often provide breaks in these expanses by using interior columns incorporated with a slight change in elevation. A variation on this concept is a divider between kitchen and den area that has interior columns spaced across the open area above the divider.

Columns are also often used to help define a dining area that is part of a living room. The use of interior columns with furnishings such as sideboards or opaque folding screens between them can frame off an area around the dining table without creating a separate room. These columns can also provide a load bearing function when necessary, serving a practical as well as a decorative purpose.

Decorative Columns

Depending on the interior decorator's motif, these columns may appear to be wood, marble or stone. In most cases however, decorative columns are made from fiberglass, perhaps some sort of fiberglass and stone composite, coated aluminum or pre-cast plaster. Decorative columns are by definition non load-bearing columns, and so can be made from whatever material is appropriate to match the surrounding decorative style and keep maintenance to a minimum.

PolyClassicColumns.com is the leading provider of interior/exterior architectural columns. Using the finest materials to craft superior products, it is undoubtedly matchless in customization, variety, and quality. To find out more, please visit polyclassiccolumns.com.

Cordless Metal Cutting Tools

That's cute.....

The first time I saw a Panasonic cordless metal cuttin saw, I thought, "that's cute, but I can't see that thing being of any real use on the job". I was wrong. If you visit any job you will see cordless metal cutting saws in use in almost all of the trades.

What are they?

Cordless metal cutting saws are simply a cordless circular saw turning a carbide tipped metal blade at the appropriate rpm. These saws typically have an extra guard to help with the metal shavings. These saws cut mild steel very clean and cool. One of my favorite stories is that of a sales rep walking into a customers office and cutting off a piece of threaded rod with the tool and threading a nut on, before the customer could through him out. He sold many, many tools that way.

What can they cut?

Cordless metal cutting saws can cut most mild steel including threaded rod, unit-strut, metal siding, EMT pipe, duct work, really any mild steel. Blades are available for aluminum also. I have heard them being used on copper, not sure that it is recommended though. By for the most common use is for cutting threaded rod, strut and EMT. If you are cutting mostly thin metal, blades are available with more teeth that will give you a better cut.

Who makes them?

Metal cutting cordless saws are availble from Panasonic, DeWalt, Milwuakee, Ma5AEkita and others. If you already have a cordless circular saw, you can buy carbide tipped blades for most saws, Tenyru is among the biggest supplier of this type of blade. I still think the tools specifically designed as metal cutters do the best job as they are set up just for that, but many of my Bosch customers have had good success with a carbide tipped metal blade on their saw.

Give them a try.

Many cordless power tool manufactures have a 30 day no questions asked return policy. I have offered this to many customers, but once they see what these tools can do, I don't get a single tool back.

You can find more on specific metal cutting tools at
http://www.protoolguide.com/Panasonic_Metal_Cutting_Saws.html
Check out http://constructionfastening.com/ for specialty tools and hangers for the low voltage industry.

Aspects of Conservatory Sunrooms

If you have decided to build a sun room, it is probably because you are hoping to be able to use this room through the year and that means in all seasons. To do this, you need to consider the rooms design very carefully to avoid overspending your budget. Everyone knows that insulation is the most important factor in design with a conservatory, for example, but inadequate insulation doesnt necessarily save you money. First, if you have too little insulation (or too much), you may5B4 discover that your conservatory sun room is less comfortable than you thought it would be. Secondly, you may end up spending more money in keeping the house warm and cool than you would if you had spent the money in the design phase on proper insulation. Youll need to take a look at the building code requirements for conservatory insulation. and then talk about this issue with your contractor. Its entirely possible that by so spending a little more and exceeding those recommendations, it can save you in the long run e.g. if you were to dispense with the commonly-used 2x4 studs and use 2x6 studs instead, you would gain an additional insulating 2 inches for your room. After insulation, consider windows. Because they will make up the main cost of your conservatory, you need to choose them carefully. Windows do not only impact your homes appearance. but they have a functional component. Plus, they are a major factor in the construction budget of your sun room.

First. you should think about the type of glazing you require. Glazing isnt just for letting sun in - it should not only let sunlight in, but it should also keep out harmful rays and protect your family and you from the suns UV.

Some special glazes can retain heat in your sun room, acting as an additional insulation. The insulating properties of windows will depend on their cost and the material from which they are made.

58CWindows frames made of wood are normally the most expensive option, and these will need some maintenance such as occasional painting or possibly refinishing. But wood windows are relatively efficient too, in terms of energy.

Vinyl windows are very energy efficient, as well as moderate in cost compared to other types. Youll have a wide choice of colors and often a low maintenance requirement.

Finally. windows constructed of aluminum are less energy efficient, but are usually lower maintenance or even in many cases maintenance free. The clad style is very common, and these are relatively maintenance free, with energy efficiency that comes close to wood frames but at a far lower cost. Remember when planning a conservatory that whether or not a window opens and closes will impact their cost. So, the more non-opening, or fixed windows that you choose to include in your sun room, the cheaper your overall design will be. Think carefully about which of the windows will need to be accessible and opened or closed, and which can be non-opening in order to give you the flexibility that you need in using the room, without the additional cost of opening windows you wont really be needed.

Andrew Caxton is the author and editor of many resources published at 30Ahttp://www.allsunrooms.com He provides tips and advice about patio enclosures as well as on the patio rooms at conservatory sunroom

Fallbrook Construction

A Review Of Alcoa Home Siding

Every home owner takes pride in how their home looks when they are new and after some time has passed. To help protect our homes from the elements there are different types of siding that can be used. These sidings can include wood, fiber cement, steel, masonite, aluminum and vinyl siding. One of the newer siding materials that has been introduced is that of Alcoa siding.

Alcoa siding was first made by the Alcoa Home Exteriors company. This siding is durable due to its construction to resist heat, high winds, various weather condition changes and it is also maintenance and worry free. Unlike the other sidings Alcoa siding is made from a special compound that is combined with Styrofoam insulation.

This factor alone can make a day and night difference in homes today. So, when looking for home siding there are many factors that you want to take into consideration before you purchase.

As a result of this bonding process the Alcoa siding can provide the entire home with a solid insulation. You can even place this siding over wood panels. This is very useful as the wood has the propensity to lose heat. Since this siding has been combined with Styrofoam insulation the product will increase the resistance to heat release a house by about Twenty-five percent.

While the Alcoa siding is a good product to use for home insulation protection it has other great features that home owners will appreciate. These advantages can be seen as the Alcoa siding has the ability to cut down external noise and wind sounds by 50%.

Now, depending on where you live in the country, this factor alone is one that is appealing to many. This noise reduction is also due to the sidings construction.

This allows you to relax in your home without having to try and hear what is happening in your home because the diverse outside sounds are proving to be bothersome. The other reward that you can see with Alcoa siding is that you will have a home that seems to have a wooden exterior look.

This wood siding look can easily be achieved by the different types of Alcoa siding. One of the best types of wood siding that Alcoa siding can copy is that of Cedarwood siding. Since this type of siding is less expensive than real wood this siding is an attractive option for homeowners who want a Cedarwood wood look to their home without the high maintenance costs.

Alcoa siding is also a good material to be used in places where there is a strong wind factor. As this type of siding is designed to hold out wind speeds that are 160mph. Now, just image if you live in an area with high winds, say like Oregon, being able to not hear as much of the wind noise. In addition to these facts there are dissimilar varieties of Alcoa siding that you can buy.

These varieties include Quest 3 Alcoa siding, Carvedwood Series 2 and you will also find Silhouette Classic. Inside these different forms of Alcoa siding you are sure to find the type of siding that will make your home look attractive and protect it from nature's elements. Let's face it, we all want siding that not only looks attractive, but can provide noise reduction and heat loss reduction.

Bowe Packer provides free online information to over 40 different websites. Visit just one of his sites and learn all about home siding for free.

Custom Home Builders

How to Use Columns

In recent years, the use of columns in the design of public spaces such as plazas and hotel atriums has shown their wide range of uses. Columns can be a part of the structure in a load-bearing or weight-bearing capacity or purely decorative, and the types of materials from which they can be made are practically endless. The styles available, too, are too many to describe, ranging from stock traditional Roman or Greek columns to specially customized designs t1C5Ehat you create.

With these three column components, you can create an infinite number of columns to suit an infinite number of needs. You're limited only by your imagination as almost anything you come up with can be made by a good manufacturer.

Porch Columns

The word "porch" is derived from the Greek "portico," which means a columned entry to a temple. So it is an appropriate acknowledgment of history that porches remain one of the most popular places for columns, whether they are incorporated into the porch railing or stand alone.

Porch columns are available today in a number of designs that help define the front of the house. The more elaborate choice might be a fluted porch column with decorative rings at the top and base, following one of the Roman styles. Round porch columns are made that provide two architectural design choices. Tapered round columns provide a formal touch. Traditional round columns bring elegance as well. Square columns are reminiscent of America's rural tradition.

Porch columns today are manufactured from both wood and synthetics. Fiberglass porch columns have become a popular architectural alternative to wood because they require little maintenance: fiberglass porch columns won't crack, peel or warp.

Exterior Columns

A number of exterior uses for columns are also prominent in today's architectural stylings. For example, a column makes a great base for a garden birdbath or sun dial. Custom sizes can be made from almost any material to create a staggered look or uniform appearance for repeat pieces or complementary ones, as you prefer.

Columns can be used as seats in a garden. Wide bases can be used as a table and smaller bases can be used as side tables. Another interesting exterior use: stepping stones or stairs up to an elevated area or a deck. Columns also work well as fence posts for decks or around the yard. A grand choice would be a walkway or driveway up to the house with columns on each side. Whether covered or uncovered, this creates quite a first impression, adding formality to the look and a great deal of value to the home.

Interior Columns

As new home design has turned to extensive use of wide open spaces, interior columns have become a significant architectural tool. Open floor plans usually incorporate kitchens and eating areas with dens. Architects will often provide breaks in these expanses by using interior columns incorporated with a slight change in elevation. A variation on this concept is a divider between kitchen and den area that has interior columns spaced across the open area above the divider.

Columns are also often used to help define a dining area that is part of a living room. The use of interior columns with furnishings such as sideboards or opaque folding screens between them can frame off an area around the dining table without creating a separate room. These columns can also provide a load bearing function when necessary, serving a practical as well as a decorative purpose.

Decorative Columns

Depending on the interior decorator's motif, these columns may appear to be wood, marble or stone. In most cases however, decorative columns are made from fiberglass, perhaps some sort of fiberglass and stone composite, coated aluminum or pre-cast plaster. Decorative columns are by definition non load-bearing columns, and so can be made from whatever material is appropriate to match the surrounding decorative style and keep maintenance to a minimum.

PolyClassicColumns.com is the leading provider of interior/exterior architectural columns. Using the finest materials to craft superior products, it is undoubtedly matchless in customization, variety, and quality. To find out more, please visit polyclassiccolumns.com.

Brick Veneer Falling Off Building

Cordless Metal Cutting Tools

That's cute.....

The first time I saw a Panasonic cordless metal cuttin saw, I thought, "that's cute, but I can't see that thing being of any real use on the job". I was wrong. If you visit any job you will see cordless metal cutting saws in use in almost all of the trades.

What are they?

Cordless metal cutting saws are simply a cordless circular saw turning a carbide tipped metal blade at the appropriate rpm. These saws typically have an extra guard to help with the metal shavings. These saws cut mild steel very clean and cool. One of my favorite stories is that of a sales rep walking into a customers office and cutting off a piece of threaded rod with the tool and threading a nut on, before the customer could through him out. He sold many, many tools that way.

What can they cut?

Cordless metal cutting saws can cut most mild steel including threaded rod, unit-strut, metal siding, EMT pipe, duct work, really any mild steel. Blades are available for aluminum also. I have heard them being used on copper, not sure that it is recommended though. By for the most common use is for cutting threaded rod, strut and EMT. If you are cutting mostly thin metal, blades are available with more teeth that will give you a better cut.

Who makes them?

Metal cutting cordless saws are availble from Panasonic, DeWalt, Milwuakee, Ma5AEkita and others. If you already have a cordless circular saw, you can buy carbide tipped blades for most saws, Tenyru is among the biggest supplier of this type of blade. I still think the tools specifically designed as metal cutters do the best job as they are set up just for that, but many of my Bosch customers have had good success with a carbide tipped metal blade on their saw.

Give them a try.

Many cordless power tool manufactures have a 30 day no questions asked return policy. I have offered this to many customers, but once they see what these tools can do, I don't get a single tool back.

You can find more on specific metal cutting tools at
http://www.protoolguide.com/Panasonic_Metal_Cutting_Saws.html
Check out http://constructionfastening.com/ for specialty tools and hangers for the low voltage industry.

Black Apartment Stairs

Aspects of Conservatory Sunrooms

If you have decided to build a sun room, it is probably because you are hoping to be able to use this room through the year and that means in all seasons. To do this, you need to consider the rooms design very carefully to avoid overspending your budget. Everyone knows that insulation is the most important factor in design with a conservatory, for example, but inadequate insulation doesnt necessarily save you money. First, if you have too little insulation (or too much), you may5B4 discover that your conservatory sun room is less comfortable than you thought it would be. Secondly, you may end up spending more money in keeping the house warm and cool than you would if you had spent the money in the design phase on proper insulation. Youll need to take a look at the building code requirements for conservatory insulation. and then talk about this issue with your contractor. Its entirely possible that by so spending a little more and exceeding those recommendations, it can save you in the long run e.g. if you were to dispense with the commonly-used 2x4 studs and use 2x6 studs instead, you would gain an additional insulating 2 inches for your room. After insulation, consider windows. Because they will make up the main cost of your conservatory, you need to choose them carefully. Windows do not only impact your homes appearance. but they have a functional component. Plus, they are a major factor in the construction budget of your sun room.

First. you should think about the type of glazing you require. Glazing isnt just for letting sun in - it should not only let sunlight in, but it should also keep out harmful rays and protect your family and you from the suns UV.

Some special glazes can retain heat in your sun room, acting as an additional insulation. The insulating properties of windows will depend on their cost and the material from which they are made.

58CWindows frames made of wood are normally the most expensive option, and these will need some maintenance such as occasional painting or possibly refinishing. But wood windows are relatively efficient too, in terms of energy.

Vinyl windows are very energy efficient, as well as moderate in cost compared to other types. Youll have a wide choice of colors and often a low maintenance requirement.

Finally. windows constructed of aluminum are less energy efficient, but are usually lower maintenance or even in many cases maintenance free. The clad style is very common, and these are relatively maintenance free, with energy efficiency that comes close to wood frames but at a far lower cost. Remember when planning a conservatory that whether or not a window opens and closes will impact their cost. So, the more non-opening, or fixed windows that you choose to include in your sun room, the cheaper your overall design will be. Think carefully about which of the windows will need to be accessible and opened or closed, and which can be non-opening in order to give you the flexibility that you need in using the room, without the additional cost of opening windows you wont really be needed.

Andrew Caxton is the author and editor of many resources published at 30Ahttp://www.allsunrooms.com He provides tips and advice about patio enclosures as well as on the patio rooms at conservatory sunroom

Fallbrook Construction

A Review Of Alcoa Home Siding

Every home owner takes pride in how their home looks when they are new and after some time has passed. To help protect our homes from the elements there are different types of siding that can be used. These sidings can include wood, fiber cement, steel, masonite, aluminum and vinyl siding. One of the newer siding materials that has been introduced is that of Alcoa siding.

Alcoa siding was first made by the Alcoa Home Exteriors company. This siding is durable due to its construction to resist heat, high winds, various weather condition changes and it is also maintenance and worry free. Unlike the other sidings Alcoa siding is made from a special compound that is combined with Styrofoam insulation.

This factor alone can make a day and night difference in homes today. So, when looking for home siding there are many factors that you want to take into consideration before you purchase.

As a result of this bonding process the Alcoa siding can provide the entire home with a solid insulation. You can even place this siding over wood panels. This is very useful as the wood has the propensity to lose heat. Since this siding has been combined with Styrofoam insulation the product will increase the resistance to heat release a house by about Twenty-five percent.

While the Alcoa siding is a good product to use for home insulation protection it has other great features that home owners will appreciate. These advantages can be seen as the Alcoa siding has the ability to cut down external noise and wind sounds by 50%.

Now, depending on where you live in the country, this factor alone is one that is appealing to many. This noise reduction is also due to the sidings construction.

This allows you to relax in your home without having to try and hear what is happening in your home because the diverse outside sounds are proving to be bothersome. The other reward that you can see with Alcoa siding is that you will have a home that seems to have a wooden exterior look.

This wood siding look can easily be achieved by the different types of Alcoa siding. One of the best types of wood siding that Alcoa siding can copy is that of Cedarwood siding. Since this type of siding is less expensive than real wood this siding is an attractive option for homeowners who want a Cedarwood wood look to their home without the high maintenance costs.

Alcoa siding is also a good material to be used in places where there is a strong wind factor. As this type of siding is designed to hold out wind speeds that are 160mph. Now, just image if you live in an area with high winds, say like Oregon, being able to not hear as much of the wind noise. In addition to these facts there are dissimilar varieties of Alcoa siding that you can buy.

These varieties include Quest 3 Alcoa siding, Carvedwood Series 2 and you will also find Silhouette Classic. Inside these different forms of Alcoa siding you are sure to find the type of siding that will make your home look attractive and protect it from nature's elements. Let's face it, we all want siding that not only looks attractive, but can provide noise reduction and heat loss reduction.

Bowe Packer provides free online information to over 40 different websites. Visit just one of his sites and learn all about home siding for free.

Custom Home Builders

Bathroom Faucets - Choosing The Right Option

Bathroom faucets come in various colors, styles and shapes. There is something out there for everyone. You may be interested in the stainless steel, most traditional look. But, do not over look the other options out there too such as the brass and brushed nickel versions. Even chrome is a good choice for a faucet in some homes. To find the right one for your home, consider the benefits of choosing one over the other. There are many things that can help persuade you one way or the other.

Using Stainless Steel Faucets

The most traditional and probably the most common bathroom faucet is that of stainless steel. These are long lasting products that will provide you with a blend of materials, namely steel alloys and chromium. These are the least expensive of products and offer a wide range of looks as well. The benefits of this product are simple. They will last a long time because they do not rust. They are easy to clean. They match virtually any dcor that you put them into. You never really need to do any updating of the metal. On the other hand, there are some negatives to think about too. For example, bathroom faucets made from stainless steel are often the most likely to show fingerprints on them. They can be scratch, which can lead to rusting in those locations. They can become dull in appearance, too.

Using Chrome Faucets

Another option for faucets that you have is chrome. Chrome is actually created over solid brass fixtures that have a process called electroplating done to them. The coloring of chrome is the same silver from your stainless steel, mostly. They are affordable options and you will find that some of the more high end, fancy versions are expensive. There are many benefits of investing in chrome for your faucets. For example, they do not scratch and therefore do not rust. They also are going to last you a long time without showing too many signs of aging. Chrome will show water spots but they can easily be cleaned off. If you over clean the chrome or use abrasive chemicals on it, it can become dull over time because of chrome finish will wear off.

Using Brass Faucets

Another option in bath rooms is brass. While not as commonly found they are a great option for those looking for something more unique. And, they are some of the oldest types of faucets to be found in bathrooms of yesteryear. Brass is a solid metal which means unlike chrome and steel, there are no metal blends and not plating found in brass faucets. The downfall of brass is in the price, since it is a higher cost and there are fewer options because the demand for them is less. Brass does require more attention on your part. Since they must be sealed, if they are used without proper sealing they can and will rust. More so, brass does tarnish which means a unique cleaning process that is more labor intensive. Brass can easily be scratched, which can lead to rust.

Using Brushed Nickel

Yet another option for faucets is brushed nickel. This is one of the newest products out there and is made by electroplating which is done over the top of solid brass. There are many options to consider in styles because they are so popular. What's more, there is a range of pricing including affordable products. The benefits of this product are that they do not show scratches and fingerprints are easily hidden. They do not tarnish over time. The downfall that they have is that the plating can wear away over a long period of time.

Choosing the best bathroom faucets means to consider all of these options carefully.

Adam Peters is a journalist who writes newsletters on bathroom faucets for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com You can find more information and resources on bathroom accessories at his website.

Black Apartment Stairs

Why You Must Consider Lighting as Part of All Bedroom Design Ideas

Bedroom design ideas often overlook lighting. This is unfortunate as it can be used to create everything from reading rooms to romantic bedrooms. Bad lighting can affect your bedroom interior design enjoyment.

Location

Lighting location should play a role in your bedroom interior design plans. For convenience sake, ensure that lights can be controlled from both the door and the bed. In addition, if you have a partner who goes to bed earlier than you, make sure you have a light that shines away from him or her so that he or she can sleep while you read or watch TV in bed. Last, try positioning a light behind you in order to eliminate shadows that can distract you from that book you read before falling asleep.

Source

Lighting source will play a major role in your bedroom. Consider natural light in your bedroom design ideas as it will prove relaxing. Candles, for those who don't have windows, are great for all bedrooms, including, of course, romantic bedrooms. Or, to approximate the low glare of natural lighting, use soft bulbs in your lamps.

Don't Forget Lamps

Table and floor lamps can bring light to anywhere in the room that it's needed. This is particularly useful given that many bedrooms do not have overhead light fixtures.I Additionally, lamps can add a touch of elegance to your bedroom.

As you can see, always make lighting a part of your bedroom interior design. Lighting sets the ambiance, affects the look of the room, and, in its most basic sense, allows you to perform your favorite bedroom activities... like reading.

Looking to learn more Bedroom Design Ideas and about Bedroom Interior Design? Then visit bedroom-design-expert.info (http://www.bedroom-design-expert.info)

Antique Store Patio

Don't Forget The Bathroom Essentials

Many people spend a long time choosing their bathtub and bathroom furniture, but then make the major mistake of not spending the same, or a similar, amount of time on choosing the right type of faucets. This can be a major mistake simply due to the fact that if you choose the wrong type it can really destroy the look of your bathroom. This article will take a look at some of the considerations that need to be borne in mind when choosing faucets for various bathroom styles.

The first thing to look at is the overall decorative style of your bathroom in total, because it is here that you will get the first pointers as to what type of faucets you need to buy. You can split faucets into two general design styles, and they are the antique style and the contemporary style, though within each of these there are many different types of variations. However, if you take this as a starting point you'll be well on your way to finding the right type of faucet for your bathroom design and avoid buying something that really does look out of place.

If your bathroom is done in a traditional style, and particularly if it has a freestanding bathtub, especially a claw foot bathtub, you really need to make sure that the faucets you choose are antique in style in order to keep in with the vintage flavor of the overall decoration. There are special types of faucets made for clawfoot bathtubs, and these give you a wide range of options in various materials such as brass and copper. These two materials are some of the best for the antique style, since they really do hark back to a bygone era.

If your bathroom is done in a more modern style, which usually means you have put in a lot of fitted cupboards and possibly a corner bathtub, then you need to look at faucets that merit this kind of design. One of the best materials is chrome, because it is really does have a very modern flavor, and will really fit into any bathroom that is done in a modern design. Don't forget also that many types of faucets are now available in touchless models, which means that you do not need to even touch the tap and simply need to put the hand beneath the faucet in order to turn the water on. These are usually better for the modern look, since the antique style generally benefits from having faucets that have the old-fashioned heavy handles.

As you can see, when you choose your faucets it is no use choosing the first one you set your eyes on. Take time to think about the overall design style of your bathroom and you're sure to find a faucet which will suit.

Carl Formby owns and operates http://www.bestfaucetsbuy.com, a website dedicated to buying Faucets including Automatic Faucets

Custom Home Builders

Small Bathroom Design

Designing a bathroom in a small space can be quite a challenge but you can still have a workable bathroom in a small space.

The trick to a small bathroom design is try and utilize every square centimeter of space effectively without cluttering the space up and making it uncomfortable to be in.

Choose your fittings wisely and don't just opt for a cheap bathroom suite, these suites will often not be suitable for the smaller bathroom.

A great space saving idea is the so called closet bathroom suites. These suites are designed specifically for your space saving needs. The toilet and basin will be in a wedge shape, this will allow them to be fitted in the corner of the bathroom and saving the space that would otherwise be wasted in the corners.

In the smaller bathroom there is no doubt about what will cause the major headache. There is no way of getting around the fact that a bath will take up a lot of space. If you can physically fit a standard size bath in then you will have no option but to stick with a shower unit. This is often a compromise that most people will be happy to accept and can make the space look modern and stylish, this is the option most young professionals will prefer.

The family home however will need a bath. There are only a few options available if there is not physically enough space for a standard bath. The first option is to gain some space from somewhere, from another adjoining room in the house or to extend the room. Both these options can be expensive and out of reach for many home owners. Another option is to move the bathroom to another location in the home. Again this can be an expensive project and will cause inconvenience to the home owner.

A cheaper and more convenient option is to buy a smaller than standard bath, they are available obviously at an extra cost. A corner bath is often seen as a luxury but contrary to popular belief they are not that expensive and a corner bath will take up less space length wise than a standard bath.

The small bathroom isn't the end of the world and can be a workable space.

Mchenry owns and runs a DIY tool shop that sells everything you will need for your Bathroom design small or large.

153

57703

An Alternate Window Treatment

Are you looking for a way to spice up your home? If so, wood blinds may be the answer. To many, wood may not seem to be appealing or charming. Perhaps one may think of the 60's and 70's craze of wood paneling. However, the new millennium is here, and wood is in! Wood blinds are a great alternative for window coverings.

Wood blinds help bring warmth and charm into your space, by complementing your existing dcor and enhancing the beauty of the room adding warmth and sophistication. Most wood blinds are made of basswood. Basswood is a light hardwood which is stained in many various shades of wood tones and white shades. There are many options that come along with wood blinds as well. You can choose to add a valance, motorized options, and several lift and tilt options. One downside is they have the potential to warp over time.

Don't think that wood blinds are only for the wealthy. Wood blinds come in a wide assortment, even if you are on a budget. There are faux wood blinds, which offer the same great look; it is just lighter on your pockets. Faux wood blinds provide a more affordable option to hardwood blinds. The wood appearance is produced from a combination of real wood and non toxic synthetic materials. You may be surprised at how much they look like real wood blinds. The good thing with faux wood blinds is they won't warp over time and are very easy to clean. The down side is they do not have as many lift and tilt options and they may show scratches easily.

So whether one is looking for window treatments for his or her kitchen, bathroom, living room, or bedroom, wood blinds will be a great addition to any one of these rooms. These blinds add a bit of style, yet provide privacy and insulation.

http://www.dreacustomdesigns.com

Rodent Proofing Your Home

Rain Gutters And Downspouts - All You Need To Know

Rain gutters and downspouts are obviously one of the more important aspects on the outside of an2235y home. They help in protecting your foundation from eroding as well as your roof and siding from rotting as well. Not to mention preventing a complete muddy mess that you have to try and avoid walking in. The biggest question about rain gutters is, what do you really need for your particular home? Here is a quick look at some of the basics on choosing a gutter system for your home.

What size of rain gutter do you need?

Because gutters come in different sizes, as well as materials one of the first things you will need to know is what size you need. This will depend on what part of the country you live in. If you live in an area which receives heavy rainfall then you should go with a larger 7" gutter channel. You need the bigger size to handle the heavier amounts of precipitation to prevent them from overflowing. For those living in areas which get little rain then a 5" or 6" gutter will be fine.

What kind of material do you want your gutter made out of?

Your next step is deciding what type of material you would like to have your gutter made of. The most common materials are aluminum and vinyl. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but you can also choose to have them made from copper, steel or other materials. Obviously, cost will be a consideration when you are looking at copper gutters, but copper will last a lifetime if cared for properly. If you live in an area where you do not have extreme temperature fluctuations then a vinyl gutter system would make for a good choice.

Seamless or not?

Finally, you will need to decide on whether you would like to have a seamless gutter system or one that is in sections. Seamless gutters and downspouts are considered by most experts to be the best choice. It eliminates the "seams" that could eventually lead to leaks and sagging. Keep in mind though; a seamless gutter will still have seams at the corner breaks. Also, seamless will be a more expensive option. All in all though, it is the best route to go.

Installing rain gutters

Finally, whatever gutters and downspouts you decide to install, don't use the old style of putting them up with big spikes and ferrules. This is a very outdated method of installation and will only lead to problems down the road since these spikes expand and contract with the weather and wear out the fascia boards as well. Use gutter hangers and you will eliminate this issue altogether.

Once you have made your choice for the type of guttering you want you can have it installed by any number of contractors for a nominal cost. It is well worth leaving to the pros. Getting up on a ladder and trying to do it yourself is not a great idea, especially if you have ever fallen off a ladder as so many people have. Let a pro do it and you can enjoy the benefits of their work for years to come.

You can learn more about Rain Gutters And Downspouts as well as much more information on all types of gutters and downspouts at http://www.GuttersA-Z.com

Buyerssurvey

The Cost of Remodeling

Being a homeowner you probably already know that remodeling your entire house will be expensive. There is no alternative around the money that you will have to spend in order to remodel your home. However, the most important consideration that you'll want to think about before remodeling is the rationale that you want to do so.

If you want to remodel because you want an enhanced environment for yourself and your family then the cost may be insignificant to you if you have the financial means to complete remodeling projects. On the contrary, if you are simply remodeling to increase the value of your house for when you sell it then you may not be that interested on spending every single cent you have just to update your house if you are not going to attain considerable returns.

Another important portion, though, is the thought of the total cost of everything. Cost is an especially important factor when remodeling the house, mainly because there are all sorts of things which could change the price.

For example, material that could be used in the wall that you are going to add-on to your house may have thought to have cost $4,000 by your home remodeling contractor, but if you found it at a considerably lower price then you may be able to save money in that area. However, the reverse is also true and more often then not expenses for materials and completing the job will almost always overshot the estimate that you initially received from your home contractor.

Get a Second Opinion

If you are really considering taking on the remodeling projects of your house then it may not to be a bad idea seek out second opinions when it comes to researching on how much everything will cost. You may be able to have a remodeling company come in from out of town to do the project on the weekend simply because they are cheaper than the remodeling company in-town, however, when you add in the cost of transportation to and from your location then it may not be a significant difference between the two companies.

On the same note, home remodeling is one of those areas where the price for one company may be completely different from the price of one company, even though they are situated in the same city. Obtaining several estimates for completing jobs is of utmost importance if you would really like to get the most value for your dollar.

Hidden Costs

There are also hidden costs that are typically always associated with remodeling your house. For example, not many people consider this to be a big problem, but it could cost hundreds of dollars simply for debris removal alone! Of course, your home remodeling company may be able to get it done cheaper than if you simply called around for prices, but this is just one aspect of the home remodeling business that homeowners need to be aware of!

All of these issues, though, are important when remodeling your entire house! By taking into consideration the cost of the materials, along with hidden costs, and ensuring that you cross-check each cost with several remodeling estimates, is of utmost importance when remodeling your home.

Did you find those tips on remodeling cost useful? You can learn a lot more about remodeling cost by visiting http://home-remodeling.homeimprovementnewbie.com/.

The author of this article is Shin who is the webmaster of the site http://www.homeimprovementnewbie.com/ where he provides tips on home improvement.

Big Mold Problems

Ice Dams Are Dangerous For Your House!

If you live in a place where it is freezing cold in winter you must have seen icicles dangling from the roof tops and have marveled at the beauty of nature but have you thought about their impact on the well being of your house? Let me explain how these dangling icicles are literally stabbing your house to ill health by creating dangerous ice dams.

While it is freezing cold outside you turn up the heating in your house to keep yourself warm. The entire house is warm, even the ceilings of the house. These warm ceilings gradually become a little warm from the outside too. But there is ice and snow on the outside. This leads to the layer direct in contact with the warm ceiling to melt and convert into water. This water then flows towards the slope so that it is drained off. This is how the house roof is built.

But when this flowing water reaches the edge of the slope it again encouF79nters freezing temperature and freezes. This in turn entraps the rest of the water underneath the sheet of snow. It may become a thin layer of ice too. This water is called ice dam formation. There is a dam of water and ice under the snow. Gradually, since this water has no outlet, it seeps into the house and thus destroying the ceiling, walls, gutter and the attic etc. It also damages the insulation in the house, shingles and the floors. It is dangerous ice dam forming and slowly destroying the house. If you look at the houses in your neighborhood while it is snowing you will be able to clearly see the points where the snow first melts. There is a great deal of variance in the temperature of the roof. More icicles you see, more dangerous ice dams these houses have.

What can you do if there is dangerous ice dam on your house?

The best thing that you can do is not allow the dangerous ice dam to form. If your attic is well insulated and sealed, the variations in the interior and the exterior temperature wont affect the exterior temperature of the roof and thus no dangerous ice dam will be formed. The heat distributing in the house wont affect the exteriors of the house. If you seal off any possible leaks from your house, then you should be ale to maintain a stable roof temperature. Proper and adequate ventilation in the attics also help to a great extent in preventing dangerous ice dams from forming.

As soon as you notice that dangerous ice dams are forming, you shouldnt delay and take action immediately. The more you put off the job, more severe the damage dangerous ice dams do. However you must keep in mind that you must not do something which may damage the roof and the insulation further. During winters, the roof becomes a dangerous place. The snow makes it very slippery and doing any work is not easy, hence it is always suggested that you call in a professional to do the job of removing and preventing the ice dams from forming. It is the safest option both for you and your roof.

Now days it has become quite easy for you to maintain your roof and avoid dangerous ice dam formation. The roofing manufacturers have come up with innovative products for the safety of your roof. These products are geared to prevent leakages by creating a barrier between the water and the out layer of your roof. There are sheets made of asphalt polymers which can used in your roof. These products can be used even when the problem of dangerous ice dam has not occurred or has already occurred. You may apply the regular roofing materials on top of these sheets. All these measures go a long way in protecting your house by keeping dangerous ice dams at bay.

As Long Island, LI Roofing Contractors, and Northern Virginia Roofing contractors we take great pride in maintaining customer satisfaction for all types of new roof installation and roof repair work for residential and commercial roofing accounts.

Door At Stairs

An Introduction To Home Remodeling Software

Thanks to the personal computer and inexpensive home remodeling software what used to be an expensive time consuming task that often involved a professional to create blueprints or technical drawings can now be done easily by anyone in the comfort of their own home. Did I mention that its a lot of fun too?

Home remodeling software can be found wherever computer software is sold and is very reasonably priced. You can sometimes get a basic package free at Comp USA when they have an in-store 100% rebate promotion so check any flyers you might get in your paper or the mail and you could save yourself some money.

Using a remodeling software package is the ultimate in power and flexibility as any changes can be made instantly with a click of the mouse and with a wide range of products to choose from there will be a version that will be just what you need to get your remodeling project started.

Common features of remodeling software include the ability to do a virtual walkthrough, 2D and 3D views of your project and cost/budget estimators. The ability to drag and drop items is also standard and allows you to easily rearrange furniture in a room or move a door or window.

You can also count on having professionally designed examples you can use as is or modify to suit your needs. Some will even print out a list of materials required to complete the project and most have video tutorials to help you not only learn how to use the software but also teach you basic design skills.

There are several categories of home remodeling software available today with some packages bundling everything together into a total home design package:

Home Architect/Floor Plan

These packages will allow you to create a simple remodeling plan or even an entire new house from scratch. Using 2D and 3D views you are able to look at your plan from any angle and even zoom in and out. The software is so detailed that you can choose from thousands of design elements like windows, doors, cabinets and countertops. If it can be found in a house chances are a package like this will have it as an option. This package is ideal for entire home building or remodeling projects.

Interior Design

With an interior design package you can see how different wallpaper or paint will look in a room or how different countertops can change the look of your kitchen. You can move furniture around easily and view your rooms from any angle or height. Some remodeling software will also let you simulate sunlight coming through windows so you can see the effect it will have on a room.

These packages are typically filled with brand name furniture and appliances so you can see exactly how a particular model will look in your home. They often include carpet samples, fabric swatches and window treatments that can be changed by simply dragging and dropping. You can literally repaint a room in seconds to any color you want and quickly change it back again if you desire.

Often video tutorials will give you super ideas on how to coordinate colors and pick complimentary furnishings for a room for a professionally designed look.

Landscaping & Garden

Starting from professionally designed landscapes and gardens templates you can add things like fences, bird feeders, benches and statues. You can choose from thousands of trees, shrubs and plants and place them wherever you want and even include sprinkler systems.

Many styles like Japanese or water gardens are included to stimulate your creative juices and some landscaping software will even simulate seasonal changes and plant growth so you can see how your yard or garden would look 5 years from now in the fall.

Specialty packages like Deck or Kitchen and Bath design

With deck design software you can plan your dream deck using popular designs or create your own. Choose from a variety of deck materials and building styles and even place deck furniture on your virtual deck to see how it will look once its built. Some packages will print out a shopping list detailing the amount of lumber and hardware required to build the deck.

Like other home design or remodeling packages but geared for a specific room like a kitchen or bath these packages usually have many more options available than the general home based packages. You will have access to every possible kitchen appliance, cabinet, countertop, sink, shower, bathtub, etc. along with wall and floor coverings and lighting fixtures.

Any one of these types of home remodel53Aing software packages will do a good job for you and can be used over and over again as you dream up new projects for your home. If you are planning on a specific room project you might want to consider a package designed for that room type (like a kitchen) but if you think you will have future remodeling projects spending a little extra for a home remodeling package might be worth it. At the very least you can have fun planning your dream house with the home version.

For more tips on house remodeling visit us at House Remodeling Tips

Rancho Santa Fe Remodeling

Bathroom Tile Ideas for Bathroom Floor Tile

Bathroom tile ideas for bathroom floor tile can help you know what options to consider for your bathroom. Bathroom tile comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, patterns and textures and they are the basis for any bathroom design. Bathroom tile ideas can help you have the very best bathroom possible.

Ceramic bathroom floor tile is often used because of its durability, resistance to dampness, its safety to walk on when wet and its ease of cleaning. If you select ceramic tiles for your bathroom, consider using a tile that has a slip-resistant surface for bathroom safety, which is one of the best bathroom tile ideas. If you buy and install unglazed tiles, they will need to be washed frequently because they absorb stains quite easily. Bathroom floor tile shapes can be squares, rectangles, hexagons and octagons while accent pieces can be narrow and small diamond-shaped.

Here are bathroom tile ideas for bathroom floor tile:

1 - If you use solid color ceramic bathroom floor tile in your bathroom, you can add tile borders of a different color to the tile floor, or you can create a border by alternating different colors. This kind of visual treatment can create a more interesting bathroom floor.

2 - When using the same color ceramic tile for the floors and walls, choose a different tile size for the walls or lay the wall tiles diagonally to create a more interesting visual effect.

3 - Another of the bathroom tile ideas is to choose a grout color that contrasts with the ceramic tile color. For example, if you are using white tiles, you could use blue, red or yellow grout for contrast. Be sure and apply sealers to grout lines in areas of heavy wear since sealers will protect and preserve grout colors.

4 - If your favorite color for a bathroom is pink, for example, add a few pink decorative tiles for the walls or use shapes, textures and borders to give it some visual interest. Select some rows of the walls where you can also use some of the pink tiles placed diagonally.

5 - To give your bathroom a contemporary style and look, consider using bright and bold colors with shapes or graphics against plain backgrounds. Contemporary style accessories and fixtures will further provide a modern-looking bathroom.

6 - If you are trying to have a romantic or Victorian look in your bathroom, use floral tiles in soft colors like pink, light green or light blue plus handpainted ceramic sinks and perhaps a wooden floor.

7 - For a Mediterranean bathroom look, mix terra-cotta tiles with Mexican or other hand-painted tiles for the floors. For the countertop perhaps mix the hand-painted tiles with another plain color tile.

Bathroom tile ideas and tile color are important since color can greatly affect your mood -- making you feel calm or energizing you. Warm colors like peach and yellow are fun, they make the bathroom feel cozier and they go well with a more country looking bathroom decor. If you use neutral colors like beiges or whites, they will make the room look larger, they will reflect light and they are always in style. Colors like blue, green and violet are viewed as serene or cool colors. Brighter colors like black or red add drama to the decor, absorb light and will make the room appear smaller. In rooms with plenty of windows and natural lighting, consider using darker tiles to offset the ambient lighting. You can also work in colors you want through the use of accent tiles and accessories.

Have fun as you select the styles, colors, patterns and sizes of bathroom floor tile and related details for your bathroom. You'll want your bathroom to be a fun, cozy room to spend time in and the bathroom floor tile used can help create that kind of atmosphere. Use bathroom tile ideas to help you have that special bathroom that you can enjoy every day.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

Learn bathroom decor ideas and bathroom layout, lighting, storage, bathroom vanities, small bathrooms, childrens bathrooms and more. David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.com - a popular website for homeowners.

Home Remodeling Ideas

All Types Of Conservatories

Victorian, Gazebo, Georgian and Edwardian are some of the conservatory sun room styles you can select from, a range of wood types to build your sun room, including oak, maple, cedar, mahogany and fir. They provide maximum insulation thereby increasing energy efficiency. The glass room controls the air temperature inside, even during extreme climatic conditions. These patio room enclosures are best suited for regions with a breathtaking view, by allowing maximum space for viewing the lands5B4cape. The English-Style conservatories are well known for their classic design and elegant look and feel, you can select from a range of decorative Victorian sun room conservatories to the magnificent Georgian structures.

Features of Sun room Conservatories

These conservatories have their respective architectural plans. They are provided with beautiful windows of various frames, you can also select from a range of stained glass to add a personalized touch to the conservatory. The doors and windows can be provided with multi point lock facility for added security. Instead of glass, if you use polycarbonate multi-ply for the roof you will get increased insulation, they only allow the soft light to diffuse inside the room. The walls have multiple chambers and the PVC used to make the walls of the sun room is reinforced with metal to provide more strength to the structure. This feature also makes the conservatories more durable. You can derive greater ventilation by fitting the turn and tilt windows. In times of bad weather conditions, these windows can be tilted in such an angle that they provide the necessary ventilation with allowing the adverse weather to affect indoor atmosphere, they can also be opened to 90 angle. giving you unrestricted view of outside environment.

Conservatory Design and Style

The conservatories can be built according to a number of designs and styles. Some of the common styles and designs5B4 include Victorian conservatory, Georgian conservatory, Edwardian conservatory, Mediterranean conservatory and Pavilion conservatory. The Victorian models sometimes have aluminum exterior and interior finish, they are provided with interlocked window and door sashes with thermal panels. You can select a number of systems for your doors and windows from fixed to dual, removable screens to sliding ones, child secure handles to double lock, in place of aluminum, you can also have wood interiors. They can have aluminum exteriors with laminated wooden beams and thermal panels. The windows can have various attachments including double security lock, awnings, grills, and casement windows. You can place French doors or even single swing and sliding doors, you can even have the Victorian conservatories clad with vinyl. They have low maintenance cost and the construction is energy efficient, they are available with the French swing doors or the sliding doors with glazed roof panels. The Double Victorian style is a hybrid variation with Victorian arcs and Edwardian columns.

The Edwardian conservatories are usually built with a corner facet of 45, they have a typical vaulted ceiling that is often made up of stained glass, they usually run parallel to the house and are best suited for conventional houses. The Georgian conservatory provides you with spacious rooms made of glass that are economical and are energy efficient, they are provided w5B4ith insulated roofing and thermal panels with interlocked window and door sashes, they have quad doors or swinging French doors with removable screens and have child proof door knobs with double locking system.

Extending The Room With Conservatories

Your rooms can be extended to form the conservatory patio rooms, porches, full glass rooms and the three or four season sun rooms. The patios allow the fresh air to enter, but stop insects and unwanted intruders from entering. But most of the time using this room is done only in summer or when the chill is not there in the air. You can build the sun room on an existing structure or just convert a room into a sun room depending on your needs. Some of the conservatory sun rooms make use of the heating and cooling system of the house to regulate the room temperature of the glass enclosed area. If this facility is not provided, you can easily install the system in the conservatory. The conservatories facing the North require fewer blinds as they are the coldest. On the contrary, the South facing ones are really warm and require constant ventilation in the form of open windows, vents on roofs and tinted roof. The West facing conservatories gets the benefit of the evening light of the sun, while the East facing one gets the morning sun and is best suited as a breakfast room. Conservatories sure do add charm to family relationships by bringing all the family members together in the morn491ing and in the evening to share the outdoor environment and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscape. If well planned, they become the ideal place to relax and indulge in your favorite pastime.

Andrew Caxton is a journalist who has written more articles and newsletters on the subject for http://www.allsunrooms.com For additional information regarding sunrooms or patio rooms go to conservatory sunroom.

Vinyl Or Tile Kitchen Floors